Acupuncture

The twelve meridians are a sequence of points found along the body that connect all your vital organs. Every major internal organ corresponds with its own meridian and each of these meridians is connected to one another like a large network or web. The twelve primary meridians are the lungs, large intestine, stomach, spleen, heart, small intestine, bladder, kidney, pericardium, gallbladder, liver, and triple warmer or san jiao.

Each one of these meridians plays an important role in the body’s functioning and link together to create one well-balanced system. If one of the meridians is imbalanced or obstructed, then disease may result as a symptom of malfunction. In other words, if one or more of the meridians become blocked or stagnated due to prolonged stress, injury, or other disturbances, Qi (as well as Blood and Body Fluids) are no longer being distributed properly along the meridian(s), which causes the body to become imbalanced, and if the blockage remains, specific symptoms that pertain to the obstructed meridian(s), start to manifest throughout the body in various ways.

These specific symptoms or manifestations will provide the Acupuncturist with the information they need in order to determine where the problem resides and which particular Acupuncture points should be selected to best align Qi and eliminate stagnation within the meridian(s), so as to bring the whole body back into a state of balance and harmony.

It is a traditional Chinese belief that the health of a person is derived from their life force energy known as Qi, which consists of the alternating balance between the opposite forces, Yin and Yang. If the Yin aspect and Yang aspect of Qi are balanced appropriately, then Qi will flow properly throughout the body, thus supporting one’s overall well-being. However, if there is an imbalance between Yin and Yang, then your Qi will be disrupted, leading to a blockage of Qi, thus causing the body to suffer as a result and health problems to arise. In Chinese Medicine, Qi is considered the life force that is vital to and makes up all living beings.

The benefits that are associated with Acupuncture focus mainly on the idea of pain reduction. Aligning and promoting the free flow of Qi within the meridians of the body is said to relieve symptoms because the body is now in a proper state of balance, which allows it to function seamlessly by stimulating the body’s natural ability to heal. This is why Acupuncture has been recognized by both the World Health Organization (WHO) and the National Institute of Health (NIH) as an effective treatment for pain management, as well as numerous other conditions, which include, but are not limited to, headaches, migraines, nausea, trauma, insomnia, addiction, fatigue, dizziness, constipation, diarrhea, irritable bowel syndrome, hypertension or high blood pressure, stroke, stress, anxiety, depression, menstrual problems, infertility, ear, eye, and nasal problems, Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, tendonitis, TMJ, sciatica, tennis elbow, and many more.

Did you know that approximately 20 acupuncture needles can fit inside a single hypodermic needle! This is a true testament to how thin Acupuncture needles really are, and the insertion of these fine needles usually causes little to no discomfort, and more times than not, people do not even feel the needles being inserted at all.

The needles come in a variety of different lengths and sizes and are selected based on the Acupuncture points chosen. These needles will then be inserted to certain depths depending on the location of the Acupuncture points. Your Acupuncturist may also gently manipulate the needles at the same time as they are being inserted to the desired depth in order to achieve what is known as a Qi sensation. This Qi sensation varies from person to person and you may feel a momentary dull ache, pressure, heaviness, tightness, tingling, numbness, itchiness, warmth or heat, muscle twitch, and/or you might even experience an electrical sensation running up or down a limb, yet some people feel nothing at all. If a Qi sensation is felt, it should gradually dissipate relatively quickly.

The needles will be removed closer to the end of your treatment and during that time, there is typically no to little discomfort felt upon removal. After the needles are removed, some Acupuncture points may feel slightly sore for a few hours following treatment and this soreness usually subsides within 24 hours.

Before the initial Acupuncture treatment, a comprehensive health history intake form will need to be completed prior to the appointment.

During your first visit, the Acupuncturist will review your intake form and ask you a variety of questions related to your current health concerns and symptoms, including, but not limited to, your medical history, diet, and emotional state. In order to further aid in the diagnostic process, both your pulse and tongue will be evaluated to determine any underlying imbalances. Your pulse will be taken on both wrists in order to determine the energetic flow of the body and internal organs. Your tongue will also be assessed to identify the overall shape, color, and coating of your tongue, to also detect any internal energetic imbalances.

Upon completion of your comprehensive evaluation, the Acupuncturist will compose a treatment plan that is unique to your health concerns and needs. During this time, specific Acupuncture points will be chosen and the treatment will commence. Before the treatment starts, your Acupuncturist will inform you of the general areas where the needles will be placed, and depending on your treatment plan, you will be asked to lie down on your back, front, or side. Your Acupuncturist will step out of the room momentarily and give you the time you need to remove any articles of clothing and get settled onto the treatment table and under the linens. Your Acupuncturist will only then enter the room once you have provided them with the permission to do so. Once permission is granted, the treatment can begin, and fine, hair-like needles will be inserted into the chosen Acupuncture points and will be left in place for approximately 10 – 20 minutes while you lie stationary and relaxed with dimmed lights and quiet, calming music. You may even fall asleep during the treatment, as many people do, which is completely fine. Once all the needles are placed, your Acupuncturist will step out of the room during this time, unless specifically requested to stay in the room. After this time period, the needles will be removed and if necessary, additional modalities, such as cupping, gua sha, auricular acupuncture, ear seeds, acupressure, electroacupuncture, to name a few, may be utilized depending on your treatment needs. Individuals often report feeling relaxed following their Acupuncture treatment or may even experience a boost in their energy levels.

The first visit will last approximately 90 minutes. Follow-up or subsequent treatments will normally last approximately 1 hour.

Both your tongue and pulse are evaluated during the diagnostic process in order to provide more information to accurately formulate a treatment plan unique to you and your health needs. The tongue is a detailed map that illustrates all the body’s organs. Specific areas on the tongue represent different internal organs; having this knowledge, allows your Acupuncturist to see whether or not certain organs within the body are displaying any imbalances. When viewing the tongue, the color, the texture, the coating, and the shape of the tongue is analyzed.

The pulse is used to determine the energetic state of your internal organs and identify if any imbalances are present within the body. According to Traditional Chinese Medicine, the pulse located on each wrist can be divided into three different areas, with each area being related to a specific internal organ.

Assessing both the tongue and pulse allows your Acupuncturist to fine-tune and further tailor your treatment plan to meet your health concerns.

There are a number of things that you should avoid before your appointment, and the biggest thread between all of these things is the amount of stress. It is very important to come into your appointment relaxed and ready to go. So, don’t rush to the appointment or schedule it in between other errands, this will increase your stress and will be counterproductive.

You should also make sure to eat a small meal or snack and drink water at least two hours before your appointment, and avoid caffeine and alcohol. These stimulants and diuretics can cause you to become wired and make it difficult to relax. Also, if you come in for a treatment on an empty stomach, you could end up feeling a bit lightheaded or nauseous afterward, so make sure to eat enough beforehand.

In addition, please do not brush or clean your tongue the day of your appointment or consume something that could falsely discolor your tongue at least two hours before your treatment, as the observation of your tongue is a vital component needed for accurate diagnosis.

After you have finished your treatment, you should avoid caffeine and alcohol, just like before your appointment. Consumption of alcohol and caffeine following your treatment, could prevent or slow the release of toxins from your body and may hinder the healing process, causing further imbalance as a result.

Depending on how tired you are, or how you are affected by drowsiness, you may want to have someone drive you home after your appointment, as the treatment could cause you to feel drowsy, dizzy, and/or sleepy. This may not affect everyone, but if you are usually sensitive to medications that make you tired, then you may want to have someone drop you off and pick you up.

Also, it is recommended that you avoid any form of strenuous exercise for the remainder of the day following your Acupuncture treatment, as these types of activities can be quite taxing on the body and may reverse the effects of your treatment. As well, any excessive sweating due to vigorous exercise may cause skin irritation where the Acupuncture needles were inserted.

You should also avoid the use of cold treatments like ice packs. This cold contact can cause the treatment to slow and regress, so instead you should carefully use heat to ensure that you have lasting effects.

If you receive an Acupuncture treatment, you may experience a feeling of relaxation and/or begin to feel a boost of energy afterward. However, it is not recommended to do too much after a session. Instead, it is advised to take it easy and rest to enhance the restoration process and allow the healing to continue in your body for hours after your Acupuncture treatment is over.

Taking a nap, drinking lots of water, eating healthy meals, and meditating can all be helpful in aiding the effects of Acupuncture and releasing toxins from the body.

The feeling that a person gets from an Acupuncture treatment can vary from person to person, but a typical feeling of calmness is often experienced after treatment. This may cause some people to feel a bit dizzy, tired, or sleepy, so if you are sensitive to this feeling, then it may not be a good idea to drive immediately after treatment. If you experience this sensation, please ensure that you inform your Acupuncturist of any feeling of dizziness or light-headedness after your treatment. Your Acupuncturist will advise you to take it easy and relax for as long as needed in the clinic before leaving to your vehicle.

However, some may feel a boost of energy, which can make it safer to drive home yourself. For the first session, you may not know how your body will react, so it could be a good idea to have someone drive you there and back.

Yes, it is recommended to drink lots of water after an Acupuncture treatment as toxins are being released during that time, and it is essential to rid your body of them. Water will help to flush out these harmful toxins, making your body feel better, along with keeping you properly hydrated.

In addition, you should avoid consuming alcohol and caffeine before and after your appointment, since they are both diuretics and can cause you to flush excess water out of your system that is needed to get rid of the toxins from your body and hydrate you. If you drink caffeine or alcohol after a treatment, the toxins may not exit your system and could end up causing your health concerns to worsen.

The number of days per week, or month, that you should receive treatment will depend on a number of factors. If the symptoms of your physical issues are more severe, then the Acupuncturist will likely ask you to come in more than once a week at first and then have you lessen as your symptoms improve.

However, if your symptoms are not as severe, or they seem to lessen relatively quickly over time, then you may only have to come in once a week or once every two weeks. With the improvement of your symptoms, you will be able to reduce the number of treatments you need, which may result in you only having to come in a few times a month until your symptoms completely subside.

Acupuncture may be done daily if the symptoms require a large number of treatments, but the typical amount of sessions is one or two a week. The side effects of having Acupuncture every day could be a feeling of nausea or even vomiting. These side effects are rare but can happen in the event that you receive Acupuncture treatments every day, which may be too much for your body.

It is recommended to follow the directions of the Acupuncturist and not overdo the amount or frequency of treatment that you need. It is always best to listen to your body and allow it some time to heal and replenish its energy.

Depending on the benefit plan that you have and how it is structured, you may be able to get your Acupuncture treatment covered. Most insurances will cover the cost of the treatments, but please keep in mind that some require a physician’s referral.

If you are seeking treatment due to a recent motor accident that caused injury and/or physical pain symptoms, we can directly invoice your Motor Vehicle Insurance after receiving all of your claim paperwork and information.

Whatever the reason, if your insurance plan has coverage or you have it prescribed by your physician, then you will be able to get it covered. However, we always recommend checking with your insurance company for coverage prior to booking a treatment.

Although there are some medical professionals who would be hard-pressed to say that Acupuncture is a positive alternative to traditional medicine, there have been many people who have been treated and continue to go to treatments because of the relief that they are given.

Medical studies have shown that some Acupuncture is better than no Acupuncture, so it can be used as a healthy alternative to relieve some pain symptoms. People who suffer from chronic pain symptoms often swear by Acupuncture treatments as an alternative to being on prescription medications that could potentially be addictive, or have adverse side effects.

Overall, Acupuncture is an effective treatment for a multitude of health concerns and many people report feeling relief through Acupuncture, which makes it a good alternative for those suffering from acute and/or chronic pain and who would like to find another option other than pain medications and prescriptions.